|
John
Howard to Attend Memorial Service
Australian
Prime Minister, John Howard confirmed he
would be attending the Bali memorial service.
The confirmation was stated by the Australian
Ambassador, David Ritchie, after meeting
the Chief of Bali Provincial Police Inspector
General Police Mangku Pastika, last Wednesday
(24/9).
The Australia Ambassador to Indonesia stated
that several officials, such as British
Vice Prime Minister and Officials from New
Zealand, would accompany John Howard. On
plan, John Howard will be in Bali for two
days, Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th October,
to join along with hundreds of Australian
relative’s victims.
It stated, the event would be held at Garuda
Wisnu Kencana (GWK Park) on 12th October
(11.00 Hours), and then continued with gathered
prayers at Ground Zero and concinnity praying
at Kuta Beach. “ at 23.15 hours, precisely
the time of bomb explosion. PM Howard will
perform reflections at ground zero,”
Mangku Pastika claimed.
The memorizing of last year’s tragedy
will be seen live on several world TV stations
especially in Australia, to proving Bali
is still safe for tourists.
Security
According to Made Mangku Pastika, the Bali
Provincial Police prepared 5000 police officers
to watch
over the commemoration event. Legian Street
up to the ground zero site will closed for
about 24 hours. Detection monitors will
be installed for security purposes. Leveled
security systems will be applied to defend
the image that Bali is safe and secure.
The Police will ask the public’s help
in securing the event.
The Australian Ambassador is confident with
the competency of the Bali Provincial Police
in overseeing the safety of those attending.
“There is no hesitation among us,”
he said.
A few days after the explosion of October
2002, Australian PM John Howard paid a visit
to Bali along with Governor General of Australia
(at that time) Dr. Peter Hollingworth. Their
visit symbolized the feelings of Australian’s.
The tragedy caused the deaths of 88 Australians.(BTN/04)
Appeal
of Amrozi, Ali Imron Request for Clemency
Granted
The
death punished Amrozi has re-appealed after
his first appeal was rejected. The Bali
Appeals Court on 12 September 2003 rejected
Amrozi’s appeal reinforced the verdict
of the Denpasar Court that passed the death
sentence. Amrozi, who keeps smiling and
confessed to the crime, carried out Jihad
(holy war), from an early age, is in police
custody at Kerobokan prison while waiting
for the appeal result from the Supreme Court.
However, Amrozi’s brother, Ali Imron
as predicted, will not appeal to the higher-level
court. Ali Imron accepts the Denpasar court
decision that handed down a life sentence.
By accepting this decision, according to
his lawyer, means that Ali Imron confessed
and regrets what had he has done.
Ali Imron’s lawyer said that his client
would apply directly for clemency (apologize)
to the President. Of all the Bali bombing
defendants, Ali Imron is the only one who
showed his deep regrets in front of the
trial, thereby escaping the death sentence.
Besides apologizing to the victim’s
families, Ali Imron has also suggested to
students not to execute any future violence
activities. “Violence, a jihad with
bomb is totally wrong from both law and
religion,” he said at the trial. Seemly,
we should wait to find out if the President
will in fact grant clemency.
The President has the rights to give a remisi
(withholding of law) to prisoners each year,
on Indonesian Independence the Day 17th
of August, with or without a request from
the prisoner. (BTN/04)
|
